The SENs: Friday 31st July 2015

Senscot is a member of the Scottish Community Alliance – a network of networks leading the campaign for a strong and independent community sector in Scotland. The 18 SCA network members engage with over 2,000 community groups/organisations/enterprises – spread across the length and breadth of Scotland. This week’s quarterly SCA gathering included discussion on the Land Reform Bill; Localising Scotland’s Food System; and U Lab – a global programme run by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology designed to stimulate and facilitate change. Scottish Govt is tailoring U Lab in Scotland with a programme starting online in October that will run online and well as through local ‘Hubs’. A preparatory event in being held in September – including info’ on how the ‘Hubs’ will be developed. Senscot has signed up to attending. See more A reminder that you can still sign up for the EU Masterclass in Inverness on 12th August; and Edinburgh on 21st August. Just click on the links to book your FREE place. These seminars are designed to share some of the core information before much of the new EU programmes are “open for business”. This week’s update is available here. Health SEN member, Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust, initially set up in 2002 as a charity and ltd. company, has been working since 2007 to develop its enterprise potential. Healthy n Happy, like many organisations operating in the Third Sector has been trying to explain the real importance and positive difference that core funding can make. It allows an organisation to establish strong foundations, maintain stability, effectively govern and plan (whilst continuing to be true to its values). This, as opposed to eternally trying to cover core costs through project funding which is, by its very nature is short-term and impossible to predict. This info-graphic (PDF) was developed to help illustrate the challenge and inherent dangers of loading projects onto an ever diminishing core income and the serious impact to successful organisations and thriving communities. See more. Are you interested in ‘collective purchasing’? Health and Community Food SEN member, CFINE, is seeking to engender a commitment amongst community food social enterprises and organisations to collective purchasing, a common business approach to growth and development. So, for example, buying £250,000 of produce is likely to secure more competitive prices than £100,000. CFINE will purchase c£400,000 of produce in 15/16 – if partners joined up and doubled that, this would be serious purchasing power. It also would increase the collective capacity to purchase ‘local’ produce to reduce food miles and invest in local economies. See more here. Entrepreneurs are becoming the norm amongst the Sport SEN as we see an upsurge in interest. Keen to adopt the model they have a passion to use sport as tool for change and run sustainable businesses which re-invests its profits to do more good. The sports they chose are hugely varied and include; Michelle who’s soon to launch Streetfit Scotland, a fitness programme for homeless adults in Edinburgh; Andy & Dom at Future Soccer Stars are developing physical literacy in pre-schoolers whilst simultaneously developing skills within families: Zane is keen to create opportunities for disengaged young people in Ferguslie Park via Scottish Backhold Wrestling. One of the Sport SEN’s more established entrepreneurs, Graham, from Reach for the Sky tells his story in the Herald. Scottish Government has launched a ‘Discussion Paper’ (PDF) to seek views on the future of employability services in Scotland. From 1 April 2017, Scotland will have the power to design and deliver its own employability services for disabled people and those at risk of long-term unemployment.Edinburgh SEN published its latest newsletter this week. View it here.NoticesTENDERS: Research Consultancy (PDF) – Total Homes, Term Contract for Portable Appliance Testing – Falkirk Council, Schools Digital Project – National Galleries Scotland, Independent Advocacy For Adults With A Learning Difficulty – West Lothian Council and more. Join the Ready for Business Linked-In group and follow on Twitter. MARKET: Glasgow’s first Social Enterprise Market is taking place this weekend, 1st and 2nd August. Market on the Corner is a new monthly market which will run the first weekend of each month. All the stalls will be taken up by social enterprises including Dream Machine Scotland, Free Lunch Café, Gladraggs, Glasgow Wood Recycling and many more. LOAN FINANCE: Volunteer Centre Edinburgh able to purchase Leith Walk property in Edinburgh thanks to 100% loan finance scheme by Unity Trust Bank and Big Issue Invest Scotland. COURSE: Crisis Counselling is running an SQA Accredited ‘Introduction to Counselling’ course in August. This course is suitable for those: thinking about training as a counsellor; wanting to enhance their communication skills or working front line with members of the public. CHEERS: A new pub which will allow customers to enjoy a drink while helping good causes is to open in Scotland’s capital. EXHIBITION: The Gallery on the Corner (GOTC) would like to invite you to take part in its postcard exhibition. The show is part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film festival and The GOTC looking for artists and creative groups to contribute. Dates for the DiaryGlasgow SEN, 5th AugustFalkirk SEN, 6th AugustMoray SEN, 13th AugustInverclyde SEN, 18th AugustDundee SEN, 20th AugustEdinburgh SEN, 28thAugustPerthshire SEN, 31st AugustFalkirk SEN, 3rd SeptemberTSI Moray, Social Enterprise Awards 25th SeptemberBest wishes,Kim

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Social Entrepreneurs Network Scotland (Senscot) is registered as a Scottish charity under Scottish Charity No. SC029210 and as a limited company under Company Registration No. SC278156. It's registered office is at 21 Walker Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7HX.